Page 1 of 1

Strange emblem

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 4:32 pm
by booksearch
Can anyone tell me what this strange emblem (found on a Victorian sugar sifter) means/represents? Thanks, Rob

Image


Click on link for bigger picture:
http://s17.postimage.org/r72vwyuwf/spoon.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Strange emblem

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:40 pm
by StewartMcI
This is the armorial CREST of the noble family of the original owner. The object being held is not clear, but if it is identifiable "in the flesh" it would be easy to narrow down the possible family names, but without the associated motto, fairly unlikely a definite candidate could be confirmed.

The standard reference is "Fairbairn's Book of Crests" and reprints are widely available, on line and accessible in any decent library.

Stewart

Re: Strange emblem

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 8:37 am
by dognose
Hi Rob,

Welcome to the Forum.

Possibly that of the Comyn family.

Image

Trev.

Re: Strange emblem

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:32 am
by booksearch
Dear Trev,

Just seen your post - so clever of you to have found this! Thanks a load!

Rob.

Re: Strange emblem

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:39 am
by booksearch
Can we ask: did you find this in the Fairbairn book the other poster mentioned? Can't see any references to this on the internet. Thanks, Treve.

Re: Strange emblem

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:30 pm
by dognose
That one came from 'The Heraldry of Crests' by J.P.Elven - 1824

Trev.

Re: Strange emblem

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:06 am
by booksearch
Thanks, Rob

Re: Strange emblem

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:24 pm
by historydetective
Booksearch, may we see the hallmarks? William Comyns was an important late 19th-century Birmingham and London silversmith, so it would be interesting to see the maker of your sugar sifter, although your sifter would probably pre-date his years of production. William Comyns & Sons also, of course, made silver in the 20th century. I infer that the absense of the "s" on the end of the surname in the crest references doesn't exclude this piece from having belonged to the ComynS family, as small changes to surnames accrue over time. Thanks in advance!